Philippians 3...

Let God's Word soak in today!  Blessings!

1. Look out for...--v. 2
1. Dogs
2. Evildoers
3. Those who mutilate the flesh
2. We are circumcision...--vv. 3-9
1. Who worship by the Spirit of God
2. Who glory in Christ Jesus
3. Who put no confidence in the flesh
1. Paul has reason for confidence in the flesh.
1. If anyone thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, Paul has more.
1. Circumcised on the 8th day
2. Of the people of Israel
3. Of the tribe of Benjamin
4. A Hebrew of Hebrews
5. As to the law, a Pharisee
6. As to zeal
7. A persecutor of the church
8. As to righteousness under the law
9. Blameless
2. Paul counts it all as nothing.
1. "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."
2. "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
3. "For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which come through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
3. Paul wants to become like Christ.--vv. 10-11
1. That I (Paul) may know Him.
2. The power of his resurrection.
3. Share his sufferings.
4. Becoming like him in his death.
5. That by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

All...

Listen (read) to "all" the times the word "all" is used in Psalm 145. 

1. The Lord is good to "all."
2. His mercy is over "all."
3. "All" you works shall give thanks to you, O Lord.
4. "All your saints shall bless you!
5. Your dominion endures throughout "all" generations.
6. The Lord upholds "all" who are falling.
7. The Lord raises up "all" who are bowed down.
8. The eyes of "all" look to you.
9. The Lord is righteous in "all" his ways.
10. The Lord is kind in "all" his works.
11. The Lord is near to "all" who call on him, to "all" who call on him in truth.
12. The Lord preserves "all" who love him.
13. "All" the wicked he will destroy.
14. Let "all" flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

These are "all" the times that the word is used in reference to "all" mankind.  There are other times the word is used to describe God.  I don't know what the meaning of this is today, but I am thankful for God bringing it to my attention anyway. 

Blessings!

Ephesians 2...

I am currently doing to study on the book of Ephesians that was put together by John Stott. In today's study I was taken to Ephesians 2:1-10.

Verses 1-3 of Ephesians 2 gives one a clear picture of what we were like before Christ.  We were:

• Dead in trespasses and sins
• Followed the course of this world
• Followed the prince of the power of the air
• The spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience
• Among who we all once lived in the passions of our flesh
• Carrying out the desires of the body and the mind
• Children of wrath like the rest of mankind

This is not a pretty picture.  It is actually very depressing.  There is no hope for anyone apart from Jesus Christ.  However, the passage does not end there.  AMEN!!!

Verses 4-10 of Ephesians 2 speaks for itself as does the rest of scripture.  Read the words of Paul as he tells us what God did to remedy this hopeless situation we found ourselves in.  ENJOY!!!

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing:  IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.--Ephesians 2:4-10 (ESV)

May we continually live in the light of verse 4-10.  May we never forget what we once were.  May we never forget what God has done.

Blessings!

5 Words on The Word...

I am beginning the process of preparing for two youth camps that I will be speaking at this summer.  When one is given the opportunity to speak, in my opinion, it is hard to narrow down what needs to be said.  

Today in my office I was thinking to myself, "What are some things that as a teen I wish I would have known that I know now?"  That is a very good question and I think that I have come up with at least one good answer.   

I wish I would have known how important the Word of God is.  

Someone probably told me, but I didn't listen.  

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) says this, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Let's break it down using a mathematical equation that I think makes sense.

THE WORD OF THE LORD 

= (IS)

#1--LIVING

#2--ACTIVE

#3--SHARP

(than any two-edged sword)

#4--PIERCING

(to the dividing of soul and of spirit)

(to the dividing of joints and of marrow)

#5--DISCERNING  

(the thoughts and intentions of the heart)

I think now we can see why the word of God is so important.  Look for this message to be spoken LOUDLY at a youth camp near you this summer.  Today's teens need to hear this and we need to tell them.  

Blessings!

Psalm 100...

On this Easter Sunday 2012, I have been reading and thinking about Psalm 100.  Here are my thoughts.

We are given 6 verbs/commands that we are to follow.
-We are to:

•  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
• Worship the Lord with gladness.
• Come before Him with joyful songs.
• Know that the Lord is God.
• HE who made us.
• We are HIS.
• We are HIS people.
• The sheep of HIS pasture.
• Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
• Give thanks to Him.
• Praise His name.

-Why should we do these things:

• For the Lord is good.
• His love endures forever.
• His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Hebrews 4:12--"For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

I THANK GOD FOR HIS WORD THIS MORNING!!!

Blessings!--DA

Love This Song...

Get Into The Good Book...

I read Turning Points magazine by Dr. David Jeremiah each month.  I have found that each issue contains several articles with practical insights to help on the journey.  I was reading an article today about becoming a more devoted person when it comes to reading the scripture daily.  Dr. Jeremiah lists 10 reasons why we should read "the Good Book."  I want to share those with you today.

1. The Bible will reveal who you are (Hebrews 4:12) and who you need to become (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. The Bible is the most trustworthy book on earth, written not by men alone but by God through human authors (2 Peter 1:20-21).
3. The Bible will provide guidance for your daily life (Psalm 119:105).
4. The Bible will keep you from sinning (Psalm 119:11).
5. The Bible can create faith in your heart to meet a specific need (Romans 10:17).
6. The Bible can lead us to salvation in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15).
7. The Bible is an offensive weapon against the lies of Satan (Ephesians 6:17).
8. The Bible always accomplishes the purposes for which it was given (Isaiah 55:11).
9. The Bible's truths will endure forever (Isaiah 40:8).
10. The Bible's truths are perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and righteous (Psalm 19:7-9).

I hope these truths will inspire you to drive into the Word today.  God Bless!!!

The following information was taken from:
Turning Points Magazine and Devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah
Article Title:  Get Into A Good Book:  Be A Bible Student--Pages 16-19

For Me Today...

I was reading Psalm 32 this morning.  It was for me.  Ask God to allow these words to infiltrate your heart today.  They are for you too. 

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!  Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!  When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.  Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.  My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.  Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.  I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."  And you forgave me!  All my guilt is gone.  Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.  For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs of victory.  The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway of your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.  Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."  Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.  So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!  Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!------Psalm 32 (New Living Translation)

God Bless!!!

Francis Chan...

Challenge video that I pray stirs your heart and mind to the point of reflection and change.  God Bless!

One Thing You Still Lack...

While reading from Luke 18 this morning, there were some words of Christ that jumped off the page to at me.  It was kind of scary.  I hope the same thing happens to you.

Christ is having a conversation with "The Rich Ruler."  They are going back and forth about what someone must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus says, "You know the commandments:  do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother."  The rulers response is surprising to me.  He looks at God in the flesh and says, "All these I have kept from my youth."  Wow!!!  This is a pretty bold statement.  It must have been true because Jesus doesn't challenge his statement.  However, the way that Jesus did response impacted this man (and Derek) to the core of who he was.

One Thing You Still Lack...
Even though he may have kept all the things that Jesus listed there was still one thing that was missing in this man's life and I will go out on a limb and say that it is missing from must of our lives as well.

1. "Sell all that you have."
2. "Distribute to the poor."
3. "Have treasure in heaven."
4. "Come, follow me."

I love, yet hate this response by Christ.  I love it from the perspective that it is the word of God and that it gives us a step by step process of improving our journey with Christ.  I hate it from the perspective that its challenging.  Its hard.  It require a total abandonment of Derek.  Maybe it is just me, but I think there are several people in the American Church who need to take heed to this message by our Lord.

How is this possible?  Great question.  This is the same question that those who heard Christ say it had and the response of Jesus gives us the secret.  Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."  I hope you will claim this verse as your own today.  I hope you understand what this means.  If we will give it all to God, its possible. 

God Bless!!!

May the Lord...

May the Lord...
-answer you in the day of trouble
-of Jacob protect you
-send you help from the sanctuary
-give you support from Zion
-remember all our offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices
-grant you your heart's desire
-fulfill all your plans

Taken from Psalm 20:1-4 (ESV)

Psalm 11

Lord, I pray that you would allow the words of this psalm to speak to hearts today. 

"I trust in the LORD for protection.  So why do you say to me, "Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!  The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.  They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.  The foundations of law and order have collapsed.  What can the righteous do?"  But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven.  He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.  The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked.  He hates those who love violence.  He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds.  For the righteous LORD love justice.  The virtuous will see his face."

God bless!!!

Prayers from Psalm 20

In Psalm 20:1-5, we see a series of prayers by David.  Let's take a look at these prayers and claim them for our personal lives.

1.  May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble.-v. 1
2. May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.-v. 1
3. May he (God) send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!-v. 2
4. May he (God) remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!-v. 3
5. May he (God) grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!-v. 4
6. May we shout for joy over your salvation and in the name of God set up our banners!  May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!-v. 5

Read what the rest of the psalm speaks:
"Now I know that the Lord save his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.  O Lord, save the king!  May he answer us when we call."

Psalm 19

In Psalm 19:7-11 there are several "math equations" that tell us about God and His Word.

1. The law of the Lord = PERFECT--reviving the soul
2. The testimony of the Lord = SURE--making wise the simple
3. The precepts of the Lord = RIGHT--rejoicing the heart
4. The commandment of the Lord = PURE--enlightening the eyes
5. The fear of the Lord = CLEAN--enduring forever
6. The rules (just decrees) of the Lord = TRUE & RIGHTEOUS ALTOGETHER
1. They are to be desired more than gold, even much fine gold
2. They are sweeter than honey and drippings of the honeycomb
3. They are a warning to his servants
4. They are rewarding for those that keep them.

The following verse from Psalm 19 is my prayer today and everyday.  Enjoy!
Psalm 19:11-14:
"Who can discern his errors?  Declare me innocent from hidden faults.  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!  Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Psalm 15

Question:  Who shall sojourn in your tent?
Question:  Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

Answers:

1. He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.
2. He who does not slander with His tongue and does no evil to his neighbor nor takes up a reproach against his friend.
3. He who, in whose eyes, a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear God.
4. He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.
5. He who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

Final Statement:  HE WHO DOES THESE THINGS SHALL NEVER BE MOVED!!!

Thank you, Lord, for these truths today.

Psalm 13

I.  How Long, O Lord?...(vv. 1-2)

1. Will You forget me forever
2. Will You hid Your face from me
3. Must I take counsel in my soul
4. Will I have sorrow in my heart
5. Will my enemies by exalted over me

II. A Prayer to God for Deliverance...(vv. 3-4)

1. Consider and answer me, light up my eyes.
1. Why?
1. Lest I die
2. Lest my enemies prevail over me
3. Lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken

III. A Prayer of Trust...(vv. 5-6)

1. I have trusted in the steadfast love of God.
2. My heart will rejoice in God's salvation
3. I will sing
1. Why?
1. He has dealt bountifully with me

I am so thankful for the Word of God today.  I look forward to spending time in it each day.  "His mercies are new every morning."  God Bless!!!

Burp!!!

Worship...

Great video that a buddy shared with me regarding worship.  Let's all prepare to live our lives in worship of our Lord everyday.  God Bless!

Discouragement is REAL...

Let's be honest.  Discouragement is real.  Whether you are in full-time ministry, in the business world, or unemployed discouragement is a reality.  I am currently reading a book entitled Children's Ministry Leadership.  Author Jim Wideman does a whole chapter on dealing with this issue.  I want to share with you today 10 ways to move past discouragement in your life. 

1.   Do what you do for the right reasons.
2.   Stay motivated.
3.   Stay in the Word of God.
4.   Pray continually.
5.   Choose to stay happy.
6.   Keep doing what God's called you to do.
7.   Lead people who'll follow.
8.   Mentor someone else.
9.    Be a self-starter.
10.  Refuse to quit.

The following was taken from Children's Ministry Leadership by Jim Wideman, pages 109-113. 
Group Publishing

Doing the Impossible

I do several things in my time with the Lord each day.  I am currently studying through the Psalms and (thanks to Mike Edwards) I am reading an on-line devotional by Henry Blackaby entitled Experiencing God Day by Day.  Here was Sunday's reading.  I thought this goes perfectly with what I shared last week about "risks."  To read that, click here.   I hope this encourages you today on your journey.  

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Don’t Avoid the Impossible

But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:16)

"Jesus asked His disciples to do something that clearly was impossible. There were five thousand men, along with their families, and they were famished. There were only five loaves of bread and two small fish—obviously not enough to feed a multitude. The cost of food for even a portion of the crowd would have far exceeded the disciples’ small budget. It may have seemed absurd to the disciples that Jesus should ask them to distribute the paltry amount of food to the massive crowd. Yet that is exactly what Jesus asked them to do. Because Jesus had given the command, the disciples obeyed and witnessed an incredible miracle.

Christ will lead you into many situations that will seem impossible, but don’t try to avoid them. Stay in the middle of them, for that is where you will experience God. The key difference between what appears to be impossible to us and what is actually possible is a word from our Master! Faith accepts His divine command and steps out in a direction that only God can complete. If you only attempt things that you know are possible with the visible resources you possess, those around you will not see God at work. You will be the one who receives the credit for a job well done, but God will have no part in it.
Take inventory of your life and the decisions you are presently facing. Have you received a word from the Master that awaits your next step of faith? If you will proceed with what He has told you, no matter how incredible it might seem, you will experience the joy of seeing your Lord perform a miracle, and so will those around you."